Way paved for Gildernew return in South Tyrone

Sinn Fein candidate for Fermanagh and South Tyrone Michelle Gildernew in Hair Care hairdressers on Irish street in Dungannon, Co. Tyrone. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday April 22, 2015. In a seat decided by a single ballot paper in the last election, the two main rivals in Fermanagh and South Tyrone claim they are set to win crucial votes from each other's perceived support base this time around. Sinn Fein's Michelle Gildernew insists some unionists will back her on May 7 while Ulster Unionist Tom Elliott says nationalists have told him they are behind his bid for victory. The numbers voting against the traditional grain may be minimal in a constituency where 42,601 votes were shared between the top two five years ago, but in what was the UK's most tightly fought contest in 2010 they could ultimately be decisive. Mr Elliott is one of four candidates across Northern Ireland who have been jointly agreed by the UUP and their rival Democratic Unionists in a bid to maximise pro-Union representati

Published:15:37Friday 18 December 2015

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Former MP Michelle Gildernew will stand as one of three Sinn Féin candidates in next year’s assembly election for Fermanagh-South Tyrone.

A selection convention has decided which three candidates will run out of four contenders.

In addition to Ms Gildernew, the nominees are sitting MLAs Sean Lynch and Councillor John Feely.

The third sitting Fermanagh-South Tyrone MLA, Bronwyn McGahan, has confirmed that she will not be seeking nomination for next year’s election though she will see out the current mandate.

“I will continue my political activities as a Sinn Féin activist following the election and remain fully committed to the aims and objectives of the party,” Ms McGahan said.

“I want to thank everyone who have I worked with in the Assembly, in the constituency, and most importantly the people of Fermanagh and South Tyrone. It has been a privilege and an honour to represent them.

“I look forward to continuing to work on behalf of local people.”

Ms Gildernew lost the Westminster seat in May when she was defeated by the Ulster Unionist candidate Tom Elliott.

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